Career and Education Opportunities for School Psychologists in Detroit, Michigan

Detroit, Michigan provides a wide variety of opportunities, both career and educational, for school psychologists. About 4,370 people are currently employed as school psychologists in Michigan. By 2016, this is expected to grow by 9% to about 4,760 people employed. This is not quite as good as the national trend for school psychologists, which sees this job pool growing by about 11.1% over the next eight years. In general, school psychologists investigate processes of learning and teaching and develop psychological principles and techniques applicable to educational problems.

A person working as a school psychologist can expect to earn about $31 hourly or $66,340 yearly on average in Michigan and about $30 per hour or $64,140 per year on average in the U.S. as a whole. Incomes for school psychologists are better than in the overall category of Social Sciences in Michigan, and not quite as good as the overall Social Sciences category nationally. Jobs in this field include: child psychologist, school psychological examiner, and school counselor.

There are seventy-three schools of higher education in the Detroit area, including thirteen within twenty-five miles of Detroit where you can get a degree to start your career as a school psychologist. The most common level of education for school psychologists is a post-Master's certificate. You can expect to spend little over two years studying to be a school psychologist if you already have a Bachelor's degree, or a short time starting with a Master's degree.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: School Psychologist

In general, school psychologists investigate processes of learning and teaching and develop psychological principles and techniques applicable to educational problems.

School psychologists furnish consultation to parents and others on topics such as learning styles and behavior modification techniques. They also assess an individual child's needs and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel. Equally important, school psychologists have to compile and interpret students' test results, along with data from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions, and to help assess eligibility for special services. They are often called upon to promote an understanding of child development and its relationship to learning and behavior. They are expected to refer students and their families to appropriate community agencies for medical or social services. Finally, school psychologists initiate and direct efforts to foster tolerance and appreciation of diversity in school communities.

Every day, school psychologists are expected to be able to articulate ideas and problems. They need to listen to and understand others in meetings. It is also important that they piece together evidence to, in some sense, diagnose what is going on in a situation.

It is important for school psychologists to layout classes and programs to meet the needs of special students. They are often called upon to attend workshops or professional meetings to remain informed of new developments in school psychology. They also conduct research to generate new knowledge that can be used to address learning and behavior issues. They are sometimes expected to report any pertinent data to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment or abuse. Somewhat less frequently, school psychologists are also expected to refer students and their families to appropriate community agencies for medical or social services.

School psychologists sometimes are asked to maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data. They also have to be able to collect and analyze data to review the effectiveness of academic programs and other services and furnish educational programs on topics such as classroom management or parenting skills. And finally, they sometimes have to serve as a resource to help families and schools deal with crises.

Like many other jobs, school psychologists must believe in cooperation and coordination and have exceptional integrity.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Detroit include:

Economist. Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to aid in solution of economic problems arising from production and distribution of goods and services. May collect and process economic and statistical data using econometric and sampling techniques.

Geographic Information Systems Analyst. Study nature and use of areas of earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.

Historian. Research, analyze, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.

Industrial Psychologist. Apply principles of psychology to personnel, administration, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee screening, training and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to reorganize the work setting to improve worker productivity.

Market Research Analyst. Research market conditions in local, regional, or national areas to determine potential sales of a product or service. May gather information on competitors, prices, and methods of marketing and distribution. May use survey results to create a marketing campaign based on regional preferences and buying habits.

Market Survey Representative. Design or conduct surveys. May supervise interviewers who conduct the survey in person or over the telephone. May present survey results to client.

Urban Planner. Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of local jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, and metropolitan areas.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: School Psychologist Training

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor - Ann Arbor, MI

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, , Ann Arbor, MI 48109. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a large university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 40,618 students and an admission rate of 42%. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has 2 areas of study related to School Psychologist. They are:

University of Michigan-Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Rd, Dearborn, MI 48128-1491. University of Michigan-Dearborn is a medium sized university located in Dearborn, Michigan. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 8,311 students and an admission rate of 61%. University of Michigan-Dearborn has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree program in Psychology which graduated 117 and twelve students respectively in 2008.

Wayne State University - Detroit, MI

Wayne State University, 656 West Kirby Street, Detroit, MI 48202. Wayne State University is a large university located in Detroit, Michigan. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 31,025 students and an admission rate of 79%. Wayne State University has 2 areas of study related to School Psychologist. They are:

School Psychology, master's degree which graduated 17 students in 2008.

Eastern Michigan University - Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University, , Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Eastern Michigan University is a large university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 22,137 students and an admission rate of 75%. Eastern Michigan University has 4 areas of study related to School Psychologist. They are:

Clinical Psychology, master's degree and doctor's degree which graduated eleven and four students respectively in 2008.

Counseling Psychology, postbaccalaureate certificate which graduated 2 students in 2008.

Lawrence Technological University - Southfield, MI

Lawrence Technological University, 21000 West Ten Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075-1058. Lawrence Technological University is a small university located in Southfield, Michigan. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 4,318 students and an admission rate of 60%. Lawrence Technological University has a bachelor's degree program in Psychology which graduated three students in 2008.

Oakland University - Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University, , Rochester Hills, MI 48309-4401. Oakland University is a large university located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 18,169 students and an admission rate of 78%. Oakland University has a bachelor's degree program in Psychology which graduated four students in 2008.

Concordia University-Ann Arbor - Ann Arbor, MI

Concordia University-Ann Arbor, 4090 Geddes Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Concordia University-Ann Arbor is a small university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 872 students and an admission rate of 63%. Concordia University-Ann Arbor has a bachelor's degree program in Psychology which graduated two students in 2008.

Michigan Theological Seminary - Plymouth, MI

Michigan Theological Seminary, 41550 E Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth, MI 48170. Michigan Theological Seminary is a small school located in Plymouth, Michigan. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 147 students. Michigan Theological Seminary has a master's degree program in Counseling Psychology which graduated four students in 2008.

University of Detroit Mercy - Detroit, MI

University of Detroit Mercy, 4001 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48221-3038. University of Detroit Mercy is a medium sized university located in Detroit, Michigan. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 5,725 students and an admission rate of 64%. University of Detroit Mercy has 4 areas of study related to School Psychologist. They are:

Psychology, bachelor's degree which graduated 2 students in 2008.

Clinical Psychology, master's degree and doctor's degree which graduated ten and five students respectively in 2008.

Developmental and Child Psychology, bachelor's degree which graduated 2 students in 2008.

School Psychology, post-master's certificate which graduated 7 students in 2008.

Madonna University - Livonia, MI

Madonna University, 36600 Schoolcraft Rd, Livonia, MI 48150-1176. Madonna University is a small university located in Livonia, Michigan. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 4,015 students and an admission rate of 76%. Madonna University has 2 areas of study related to School Psychologist. They are:

Psychology, bachelor's degree and master's degree.

Clinical Psychology, master's degree and post-master's certificate.

Rochester College - Rochester Hills, MI

Rochester College, 800 W Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307. Rochester College is a small college located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 883 students and an admission rate of 83%. Rochester College has 2 areas of study related to School Psychologist. They are:

Psychology, bachelor's degree which graduated 10 students in 2008.

Counseling Psychology, bachelor's degree which graduated 44 students in 2008.

Michigan School of Professional Psychology - Farmington Hills, MI

Michigan School of Professional Psychology, 26811 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48334-4512. Michigan School of Professional Psychology is a small school located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 127 students. Michigan School of Professional Psychology has a master's degree and a doctor's degree program in Clinical Psychology which graduated thirty-four and eleven students respectively in 2008.

Marygrove College - Detroit, MI

Marygrove College, 8425 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48221-2599. Marygrove College is a small college located in Detroit, Michigan. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 2,879 students and an admission rate of 43%. Marygrove College has a bachelor's degree program in Psychology which graduated six students in 2008.

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist:
The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) believes that individuals certified as vocational assessment professionals (CVE, CWA, and CCAA) must continue to expand their skills to enhance the quality of services they provide.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Detroit, Michigan

Detroit, Michigan photo by Durova

Detroit is located in Wayne County, Michigan. It has a population of over 912,062, which has shrunk by 4.1% in the past ten years. The cost of living index in Detroit, 86, is well below the national average. New single-family homes in Detroit are priced at $108,900 on average, which is well below the state average. In 2008, eighty-five new homes were built in Detroit, down from one hundred fifty-four the previous year.

The three big industries for women in Detroit are health care, educational services, and transportation equipment. For men, it is transportation equipment, construction, and administrative and support and waste management services. The average commute to work is about 28 minutes. More than 11.0% of Detroit residents have a bachelor's degree, which is lower than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 4.2%, is lower than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Detroit is 27.0%, which is greater than Michigan's average of 14.3%.

The percentage of Detroit residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 37.7%, is less than both the national and state average. The most common religious groups are the Catholic Church, the Muslim Estimate and the Lutheran Church.

Detroit is home to the Memorial Park Marina and the Detroit Golf Club as well as Chene Park and Mallett Playground. Visitors to Detroit can choose from Corktown Inn, Clark's Motel and Days Inn of Downtown Detroit for temporary stays in the area.